Blood Running
- November 11, 2024
- Dead Unicorn
- 20h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreBlood Running is a stylish extraction shooter where you'll enter the cyber-wasteland, fight off creatures and bandits, loot valuable gear, and venture into the remnants of a world in ruins. Are you willing to bleed to survive, Blood Runner? Explore procedurally generated maps, each with a unique keystone location, featuring constantly changing environments, loot locations, and layouts. Impr…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features stunning art and music, creating an immersive cyberpunk atmosphere.
- Gameplay is engaging with a satisfying looting and shooting mechanic, making it fun to explore and progress.
- The developer is very active, frequently updating the game and responding to community feedback, which bodes well for future improvements.
- Quality of life improvements are needed, such as better inventory management and clearer mission objectives.
- The game suffers from performance issues, including framerate drops and bugs that can disrupt gameplay.
- Some mechanics feel derivative of other games in the genre, lacking unique features that would distinguish it from competitors.
- gameplay23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this title is often compared to "Zero Sievert," with many mechanics being similar yet offering a distinct experience through its art style and combat balance. Players appreciate the satisfying shooting mechanics, RPG elements, and the slower-paced survival aspects that allow for meaningful progression. While the game is still in early access and has some bugs, it shows great potential for expansion and offers an engaging extraction shooter experience.
“This game takes some of the mechanics from Zero Sievert and expands on them, as well as introducing many new mechanics.”
“Gameplay is great if you don't have the time to spend on Tarkov and enjoy a more PvE-oriented aspect that you can progress at your own pace.”
“Really enjoying the aesthetic and the extraction shooter gameplay loop is satisfying.”
“For now it's a zero sievert copycat; looting, mechanics, gun feel, even some sprites are 1:1.”
“Regardless, for an early access game, there are still a few visual and gameplay kinks/bugs that need to be worked out.”
“Guns look largely like what you get in a modern-set FPS, and as far as I can tell, there aren't any gadgets that give you special abilities or anything to really capitalize on the setting in terms of gameplay shakeups.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their striking visuals and unique cyberpunk pixelated art style, which contribute to an engaging and immersive gameplay experience. Reviewers appreciate the aesthetic appeal and the dynamic world-building, noting that the art style sets it apart from similar titles. However, some players have reported performance issues on lower-end hardware, particularly during menu interactions.
“Striking visuals + a fun core loop.”
“Gorgeous art style, just like the dev's previous game.”
“A unique take on the extraction shooter genre with a fresh art style.”
“I will say that my potato laptop experiences some slowdowns when in menus, conversations, and the loot menu, which I didn't expect given the art style and the fact it can run comparable games smoothly.”
“Best way I can describe this game is a top-down cyberpunk pixelated art style with Tarkov aspects.”
“Thus, even though Blood Running shares the same gameplay mechanics as Zero Sievert, it gives off an entirely different feel due to its art style and the balancing of combat.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story is enriched by a variety of missions and a quest system that encourages interaction with NPCs, enhancing player engagement. Set in a post-apocalyptic world with a cyberpunk aesthetic, it features environmental storytelling and lore that immerses players in its universe. While some players find the roguelite elements frustrating, the RPG mechanics allow for meaningful progression and retention of gear, contributing to a captivating narrative experience.
“Blood Running is a game I find fascinating; it's one of those games that immerse you with the story and the universe itself. The music and art of the game are just an instant sell... this game is pretty much alive and hard at the same time.”
“Furthermore, there is a quest system, lore, and quest text included; heck, as it appears, there is even something akin to daily quests.”
“As a mostly JRPG fan, I was very fond of the quest mechanics and the way I interact with NPCs, finding it super easy to pick up quests.”
“I find especially the more rogueish elements rather a waste of time/frustrating (aka when you not just lose what you collect during a run, but your character/gear you picked when going in), but thankfully this one takes a more RPGish approach and you keep what you got even when dying during a mission.”
“Blood running is a game I find fascinating, it's one of those games that immerse you with the story and the universe itself, the music and art of the game it's just an instant sell... this game is pretty much alive and hard at the same time, gotta admit that even myself that I'm very picky with survival-action games, this game takes me someplace else.”
“Furthermore there is a quest-system, lore and quest text included; heck as it appears there is even something akin to daily, etc. quests.”
- music9 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its smooth, immersive quality that complements the post-apocalyptic setting, featuring a captivating electro and techno-inspired soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout element, enhancing the overall atmosphere and world-building, making the game feel alive and engaging. Overall, the music is considered a key factor in the game's appeal, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
“I really enjoyed the smooth-sounding music and think it really suits the post-apocalyptic scenery of the game.”
“Awesome game with a great soundtrack and so far amazing world building, a lot of potential with this game.”
“I love the art, music and overall atmosphere of this game!”
“Kinda an electro, techno, bit soundtrack, jukeboxes included.”
“Blood Running is a game I find fascinating; it's one of those games that immerse you with the story and the universe itself. The music and art of the game are just an instant sell. This game is pretty much alive and hard at the same time.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Now Blood Running" is highly praised for its standout animation, unique background style, and immersive art and music, which collectively enhance the game's appeal in the solo top-down extraction genre. Reviewers express excitement about the game's potential for growth, highlighting its strong atmospheric presence as a key factor in its success.
“Now Blood Running is a nice addition to the solo top-down extraction style genre. We have a few contenders in the category, but coming in like a wrecking ball is what makes this game stand out. The animation, background style, and sheer atmosphere really put it on the map. I really can't wait to see this game grow.”
“Now blood running is a nice addition to the solo top-down extraction style genre, we have a few contenders in the category but coming in like a wrecking ball is what makes this game stand out. The animation, background style, and sheer atmosphere really puts this game on the map.”
“I love the art, music, and overall atmosphere of this game!”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has been criticized for significant framerate drops and overall poor performance, leading to a subpar gaming experience.
“Framerate drops and poor performance.”
“The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, making it difficult to enjoy the experience.”
“Optimization issues lead to frequent lag and stuttering during gameplay.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the high replayability of the game due to its engaging base management, loot collection, and diverse map exploration, which encourage repeated playthroughs.
“Managing your base, collecting loot, and exploring the different maps makes for super high replay value.”
“Each playthrough offers new challenges and surprises, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.”
“The variety of character builds and strategies encourages multiple runs to fully explore the game's depth.”
